Lisa Ann Ratcliffe

Lisa Ann Ratcliffe, 42, of Lolo, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Missoula Community Medical Center due to a sudden illness.

She was born April 21, 1971, in Great Falls to Gerald and Carol McLaughlin. Lisa grew up in Vaughn and graduated from Simms High School in 1989. While in high school, Lisa was a member of the basketball team. Lisa then went on to graduate from Montana State University with a degree in math. Lisa furthered her education by earning a master's degree in education from the University of Montana.

Lisa most recently taught honors math and coached the math team at Hellgate High School in Missoula. Lisa was most proud of her students. Previously, Lisa taught and was an assistant girls' basketball coach at Florence-Carlton High School. Basketball was one of the great loves of her life.

Lisa met Jim Ratcliffe in the summer of 2002 and on June 28, 2003, they were married in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Lisa and Jim made their home in Lolo.

Lisa was preceded in death by her mother; father; sister, Carol Anne; and mother-in-law, Jean Ratcliffe.

Survivors include her husband, Jim and stepson Sam of Lolo; brother, Jerry (Marcia) of Allen, Texas; and sister, Paula of Burien, Wash. Lisa is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, Missoula. A reception will follow in the funeral home's community room.

All of her life Lisa loved and cared for animals, so in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lisa's name to AniMeals or the Humane Society of Western Montana

Read Lisa Ratcliffe's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.